Overview of soil physical properties and associated activities affecting soil physical properties and processes. Click on links to go to a specific section. | ||||
Property | Effects | Desired value | Management strategies | |
Phosphorus | ||||
Nitrogen | ||||
Major cations | ||||
Sulfur | ||||
Trace metals | ||||
Cation exchange capacity | ||||
Electrical conductivity | ||||
Organic matter (carbon) | ||||
Base saturation | ||||
Enzymes | ||||
Salinity | ||||
Sodium adsorption ration | ||||
pH |
Soil chemical properties include concentrations of specific chemicals (e.g. phosphorus, nitrogen, carbon, major cations (calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium), sulfur, trace metals and elements), pH, cation exchange capacity, base saturation, salinity, sodium adsorption ratio, enzymes, and electrical conductivity. These properties affect processes such as nutrient cycling, biologic activity, soil formation, pollutant fate, and erosion.
This page provides an overview of soil chemical properties, processes they affect, effects of human activities, discussion of stormwater applications, and links to related topics, including information on sampling, testing, and soil health assessments.
Soil chemical properties discussed below include phosphorus, nitrogen, major cations, trace metals, cation exchange capacity, electrical conductivity, enzymes, organic matter and carbon, base saturation, salinity, sodium adsorption ration, and pH.